Two goals: That’s why Sweden donates combat boats

MOUNTAINS. Sweden donates combat boats to Ukraine for the first time.

The reasons are two:

They can both strengthen coastal defenses – and protect Ukraine’s vital grain exports.

– This is a function and a platform that the Ukrainians have requested, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).

The two battleships thunder towards land at high speed with Swedish naval flags fluttering in the wind. Soldiers on the boats fire at land with heavy machine guns mounted on ring slings on deck.

A few meters from the shore, the boats stop crosswise so that the water sprays. A firing squad of amphibious soldiers exposed to fire attack can climb aboard, before the boats pull off again at full throttle.

From a wharf at the Berga military base, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson and Defense Minister Pål Jonson follow what Sweden’s latest contribution to Ukraine’s war can do.

The support package that the government announced today includes 10 Stridsbåt 90H and 20 smaller group boats.

Fast boats

Stridsbåt 90 are fast boats that can travel at 40 knots, and easily navigate rivers and between small islands.

Below deck there is room for 18 fully equipped amphibious soldiers, who can disembark through hatches that open in the bow.

The boats are relatively lightly armed, normally with machine guns in the bow and on a gun on the deck.

– This is a function and a platform that the Ukrainians have been asking for. They are building up their naval infantry, and the maritime arena in this war has also become increasingly important, says Pål Jonson.

– This opens up a new arena for us. It will reduce the pressure on the Army when it comes to training efforts and I know amphibious is ready to shoulder that responsibility.

He highlights two reasons why combat boat support is important:

Partly because it strengthens Ukraine’s coastal defenses in the Black Sea. Partly, that the warships can help Ukraine protect its grain exports.

– Due to the fact that Ukraine has been successful and pushed the Russian Black Sea Navy further east, the grain deliveries are now almost at the same level as before the war. It is extremely important for the Ukrainian economy, but it is also important, of course, to reduce the risk of hunger around the world, says Pål Jonson.

– This is well in line with what the Ukrainians are asking for, but also what we can do without.

Record support package

The latest Swedish support package is worth 7.1 billion, and includes, among other things, 2 billion kroner in artillery ammunition, 1 billion kroner for new acquisition of combat vehicles and 400 million kroner to train Ukrainian soldiers.

The government promises to support Ukraine in the long term.

– My picture is that Putin will be very persistent. We must be more persistent, says Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.

– When we invest in Ukraine’s war against Russia, we are also investing in our own security. We need to do this. Both for Ukraine’s sake and our own. And it will cost. It’s because war costs money.

All parties in the Riksdag agree that Sweden should reach 2 percent of GDP for military defence. Right now, the government’s plan is to get there in 2028. But the 2 percent goal was agreed upon in March 2022, before we started giving away expensive weapons systems and before the great need to support Ukraine in the long term became apparent.

How much do we have to go above 2 percent to afford all of this?

– Already today, we reach 2 percent of GDP based on NATO’s definition, and that is important to point out. We will increase in the years to come. We will make investments in defense. But like this: Needs must rule. We have shown that you can prioritize in a different way. We support the defense now. We are in the middle of a major expansion while also supporting Ukraine. And it must be possible because we have no choice, says Elisabeth Svantesson.